Musculoskeletal Care Practice Area

In the Future ... Physiatry is primary care’s frontline partner for all non-emergent Musculoskeletal (MSK) Care.

Physiatrists provide timely and appropriate access for the primary care provider’s patients by decreasing unnecessary utilization of procedures, imaging, medications, and surgical procedures, and the development of primary and secondary prevention programs for MSK issues.

Patients are empowered by obtaining education about their condition and timely, cost-effective, coordinated care for all musculoskeletal complaints, regardless of chronicity. There is an increased demand for physiatry from patient groups, primary care providers, and health care systems. This increases awareness across patient and provider groups and increases the value of shared decision making, prehabilitation, and wellness.

Primary care providers benefit through access to comprehensive MSK Care from experts in education,
resource management, and value-based care. The partnership is the foundation for a model of MSK Care impacting population health.

Physiatrists enjoy an increased level of job satisfaction by leading the management of appropriate care and experiencing greater autonomy.

What will this look like in practice?

We are looking to develop and document 3 identified models of care that offer strong future alignment and value to the primary care partnership: